About Life in Japan

Have you ever heard the term "homecoming rush" in the Japanese news? The reason why Japanese people return to their hometowns en masse during this time of year when bullet trains, airplanes, and highways are extremely crowded is related to a special time called "Obon." Obon is a time when it is believed that the spirits of deceased ancestors return to this world.

Summer in Japan is very humid and humid, and there are a lot of mosquitoes. That's why insect repellent is essential in the Japanese summer. Japanese people pay as much attention to insect repellent as they do to sunburn. Have you ever seen a Japanese insect repellent? [Traditional "mosquito coils"] First,

Japanese supermarkets are lined with a wide variety of foods that are perfect for summer. Even on hot days when you lose your appetite, cold, easy-to-eat foods are very popular. Cold noodle dishes are especially popular. Examples include somen noodles, chilled Chinese noodles, zaru soba, and zaru udon. These are cold,

Japan has many national holidays throughout the year. There is a national holiday almost every month from January to December, and people make the most of these days. One of the most distinctive features is the large number of days on which people express gratitude for nature and culture, such as "Mountain Day" and "Marine Day." This reflects the history of the Japanese people, who have lived in harmony with nature since ancient times, and the importance of the changing of the seasons.

When you think of summer in Japan, you think of fireworks displays and festivals. Large flowers spreading across the night sky, people wearing yukata, and bustling food stalls. These uniquely Japanese summer scenes are attracting attention from foreign tourists too. What is a fireworks display? Japanese fireworks displays are not just "firework shows." They are held to coincide with local traditional events and the Obon period.

Have you ever seen colorful paper hanging from bamboo in July in Japan? That is a scene from the traditional Japanese festival called "Tanabata". But why do people write their wishes on paper and hang them on bamboo? Today, I will explain the charm and meaning of Tanabata in an easy-to-understand way. [What is Tanabata?] Tanabata is celebrated on July 7th.

In Japan, there is a somewhat unique and interesting expression. They are the words "ame-onna" (rain woman) and "ame-otoko" (rain man). [What is an rain woman or rain man?] "Rain woman" and "rain man" are people who for some reason get rained on on the day of an important event or trip. For example, in the following scene: A day that you were looking forward to on a school trip,

What does "Jimejime" mean? In Japan, the rainy season known as "tsuyu" begins around June. It rains almost every day, and the air feels heavy. At times like these, the word Japanese people often use is "Jimejime." This "Jimejime" is one of the expressions known as "onomatopoeia" in Japanese. What is onomatopoeia?

Many foreign tourists who visit Japan look forward to "food"! Japan has many dishes that are not only delicious, but also beautiful to look at and can be enjoyed as an experience. First, let's introduce some popular Japanese foods regardless of the season! [Sushi] A representative Japanese gourmet dish that everyone wants to try at least once. Conveyor belt sushi is especially popular, and many people enjoy eating their favorite dishes.

This time, we will introduce some spectacular spots to visit before the rainy season for those of you coming to Japan from overseas. The rainy season is the season from late May to early July when a lot of rain falls all over Japan. If the rain continues for several days, it can be difficult to go sightseeing. That's why now, with its many sunny days, is your chance!